Since the first televised debate between presidential hopefuls Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, they have played an increasingly integral role in the American political process. Initially reserved to the final presidential candidates from each party, they have seemingly encompassed every step of the election of a new president. Televised debates make candidates omnipresent in the eyes of their constituents, making a candidate's image nearly as important as his message and ideas. The controversy surrounding this new medium stems from this idea of the importance of image. Those in opposition of televised debates cite that a candidates message should be the most important aspect of the election, not merely a superficial impression based on a fraction of time. Those in favor of the debates point out that they actually bring policy to the foreground, making a candidate take a stance on the issues that are important to the American people.
1960 - Nixon vs. Kennedy
2008 - Clinton vs. Obama
History
The first ever presidential debates were between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1860, though Americans today would hardly recognize the debate as it was not televised nor broadcast via radio. The first debate broadcast to the public was between republican candidates Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen in 1948 via radio. Debates were finally brought to television as noted above 100 years after the first presidential debate. This debate was between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, and it played an influential role on the opinions of the millions of viewers. Being broadcasted on all major television channels, Nixon depicted himself as haggard, exhausted, and under prepared in contrast to Kennedy's crisp and professional look. Interestingly, those who listened to the debate on the radio scored it as a draw while those who watched it on television overwhelmingly believed Kennedy to be the winner. The neck and neck race between both candidates tipped in favor of Kennedy as the debate's direct influence on voters cost Nixon the election. For the first time in the history of politics the look, posture, and poise of competing candidates became essential to success in November.
Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
After the first debate in 1960, there were no televised debates until 1976 because of the war in Vietnam. This was because presidential debates were seen as potentially divisive, an adjective not fondly looked upon in a time of war. Every election after and including 1976 has included several presidential, televised debates. Televised debates have steadily decreased in viewership since the early 1980s. The Reagan and Carter debates witnessed the highest viewer ratings, a reflection of the economically dismal 1970s. Television became a universally accessible medium to communicate, exchange, and discuss the platforms of each prospective candidate. This idea was even expanded upon by the addition of televised debates between vice presidential candidates in 1984 between Walter Mondale and Bob Dole. This gave the American people not only the ability to know who the president is andwhat he stands for, but also to know who the man behind the president is.
Current Political Situation
Beginning in 2007, 8 candidates vied for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations. As of May 21, 2008, John Syndey McCain had secured the Republican spot, and Barack Hussein Obama had taken a commanding lead in the Democratic race after winning Oregon on Tuesday, May 20. Contrary to popular belief, Obama is not secretly a Muslim as financed by the Clinton campaign. Running opposition Hillary Clinton presents a dilemma for the Democratic Party. The "splintering," as many political analysts have called, has witnessed the ambivalent support for either Obama or Clinton, lending itself to a strengthened McCain platform. The ultimate effects of the Superdelegate votes will most like calm of the conflagration brewing around the Democratic National Convention.
2008 Candidate's Policies and Traits
The impact of television debates on the 2008 Democratic nomination has actually polarized voters into two distinct and uncompromising factions. Obama has presented himself as an intelligent, well-dressed, and articulate candidate whereas Clinton has appeared as a champion of the worker. New voters like the recently registered, blacks, and the working man have voted in record number in the most critical election of the 21st Century. Delegates will convene in Denver in late August to ultimately choose the Democratic candidate who will challenge the GOP on November 7, 2008.
Televised debates have played a key role in the 2008 presidential election thus far. All in all, there have been 26 and 21 debates between potential Democratic and Republican candidates, respectively. This is by far the most debates that have taken place before the general election has even begun. M
"The Prize"
ost of these debates have been willingly called for by the candidates themselves who recognize the importance of televised debates. Candidates realize the need to get their respective messages to the American electorate. So far, there are three presidential debates scheduled for the general election between the Republican and Democratic nominees. There is also a vice-presidential debate scheduled for early October. In a campaign as tightly contested as the 2008 presidential election, the debates will play important roles in the choosing of the next president. The American people recognize the need for a president who represents their beliefs and ideals. The debates will provide a critical forum for the candidates to promote their ideas and reach out to the electorate to bridge the gap between representatives and the represented.
Activity
As mentioned previously, the 1960 presidential debate played a critical role in the election of Robert F. Kennedy to the presidency. Those who viewed the debate on television overwhelmingly chose Kennedy as the clear winner over Nixon, but those who listened to the debate on the radio saw the debate as a tie. Below are both an audio file of the debate as well as an informative video reiterating points from the "history" section of this wiki. Consider these questions as you investigate.
Audio
Does Nixon sound nervous and Kennedy more competent?
Are Nixon or Kennedy's responses delayed or wavering?
Who do you percieve to be the winner? Please answer the poll question below before continuing to the video.
Video
How do Nixon and Kennedy's appearances affect their demeanors?
Could Nixon have rectifyied himself by wearing make up?
Who do you percieve to be the winner?
On the discussion tab--please share your reactions to this experience.
Conclusion
Televised debates play a critical role in the American political process to select a president. There are several ways that televised debates have improved the process, making it truely a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people. Each number has a question at the end. Please discuss on the discussion tab.
Accessibility- By putting the debates on television, the debates are able to reach a much larger audience than if it were only available to those in the auditorium at the time of the debate. Consider this: An average college auditorium holds roughly 2,500 people, but television is able nearly every American household. Which would have a bigger audience?
Importance of Image- Candidates must portray an electable image to the electorate viewing the televised debate. Consider this: A haggled woman with clear stress and emotional disorders is facing a poised man, ready to lead the nation in a debate. Who would you vote for?
Message- Candidates are able to make available their stances and campaign promises to the electorate making it possible for eligible voters to decide which candidate to vote for based on ideals and personal needs. Consider this: Candidate A is for abortion while Candidate B is against abortion and will try to stop it. You are also against abortion. Who would you vote for?
Stances- Debates force candidates to take immediate stances on the issues presented during the televised debate that will be viewed by millions of Americans on television. Candidates can't hide behind campaigns of rhetoric and will eventually be forced to take a stand on the issues infront of the public. Consider this: Candidate A talks only of change with soaring rhetoric, but in the debates, he is unable to take concrete stands on the issues. Would he be electable?
It is essential to consider all perspectives before exercising the most precious of rights--the right to vote in an American presidential election. Each candidate has a lot to offer to this country, so we must be respectful and cautious. We must now look to the future of televised debates for the good of America...for the good of the world.
Learning From Our PastHow Televised Debates have Reshaped Presidential Elections in the United States
Table of Contents
Introduction
Since the first televised debate between presidential hopefuls Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, they have played an increasingly integral role in the American political process. Initially reserved to the final presidential candidates from each party, they have seemingly encompassed every step of the election of a new president. Televised debates make candidates omnipresent in the eyes of their constituents, making a candidate's image nearly as important as his message and ideas. The controversy surrounding this new medium stems from this idea of the importance of image. Those in opposition of televised debates cite that a candidates message should be the most important aspect of the election, not merely a superficial impression based on a fraction of time. Those in favor of the debates point out that they actually bring policy to the foreground, making a candidate take a stance on the issues that are important to the American people.History
The first ever presidential debates were between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1860, though Americans today would hardly recognize the debate as it was not televised nor broadcast via radio. The first debate broadcast to the public was between republican candidates Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen in 1948 via radio. Debates were finally brought to television as noted above 100 years after the first presidential debate. This debate was between Richard Nixon and John Kennedy, and it played an influential role on the opinions of the millions of viewers. Being broadcasted on all major television channels, Nixon depicted himself as haggard, exhausted, and under prepared in contrast to Kennedy's crisp and professional look. Interestingly, those who listened to the debate on the radio scored it as a draw while those who watched it on television overwhelmingly believed Kennedy to be the winner. The neck and neck race between both candidates tipped in favor of Kennedy as the debate's direct influence on voters cost Nixon the election. For the first time in the history of politics the look, posture, and poise of competing candidates became essential to success in November.After the first debate in 1960, there were no televised debates until 1976 because of the war in Vietnam. This was because presidential debates were seen as potentially divisive, an adjective not fondly looked upon in a time of war. Every election after and including 1976 has included several presidential, televised debates. Televised debates have steadily decreased in viewership since the early 1980s. The Reagan and Carter debates witnessed the highest viewer ratings, a reflection of the economically dismal 1970s. Television became a universally accessible medium to communicate, exchange, and discuss the platforms of each prospective candidate. This idea was even expanded upon by the addition of televised debates between vice presidential candidates in 1984 between Walter Mondale and Bob Dole. This gave the American people not only the ability to know who the president is andwhat he stands for, but also to know who the man behind the president is.
Current Political Situation
Beginning in 2007, 8 candidates vied for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations. As of May 21, 2008, John Syndey McCain had secured the Republican spot, and Barack Hussein Obama had taken a commanding lead in the Democratic race after winning Oregon on Tuesday, May 20. Contrary to popular belief, Obama is not secretly a Muslim as financed by the Clinton campaign. Running opposition Hillary Clinton presents a dilemma for the Democratic Party. The "splintering," as many political analysts have called, has witnessed the ambivalent support for either Obama or Clinton, lending itself to a strengthened McCain platform. The ultimate effects of the Superdelegate votes will most like calm of the conflagration brewing around the Democratic National Convention.The impact of television debates on the 2008 Democratic nomination has actually polarized voters into two distinct and uncompromising factions. Obama has presented himself as an intelligent, well-dressed, and articulate candidate whereas Clinton has appeared as a champion of the worker. New voters like the recently registered, blacks, and the working man have voted in record number in the most critical election of the 21st Century. Delegates will convene in Denver in late August to ultimately choose the Democratic candidate who will challenge the GOP on November 7, 2008.
Televised debates have played a key role in the 2008 presidential election thus far. All in all, there have been 26 and 21 debates between potential Democratic and Republican candidates, respectively. This is by far the most debates that have taken place before the general election has even begun. M
In a campaign as tightly contested as the 2008 presidential election, the debates will play important roles in the choosing of the next president. The American people recognize the need for a president who represents their beliefs and ideals. The debates will provide a critical forum for the candidates to promote their ideas and reach out to the electorate to bridge the gap between representatives and the represented.
Activity
As mentioned previously, the 1960 presidential debate played a critical role in the election of Robert F. Kennedy to the presidency. Those who viewed the debate on television overwhelmingly chose Kennedy as the clear winner over Nixon, but those who listened to the debate on the radio saw the debate as a tie. Below are both an audio file of the debate as well as an informative video reiterating points from the "history" section of this wiki. Consider these questions as you investigate.Audio
Does Nixon sound nervous and Kennedy more competent?
Are Nixon or Kennedy's responses delayed or wavering?
Who do you percieve to be the winner?
Please answer the poll question below before continuing to the video.
Video
How do Nixon and Kennedy's appearances affect their demeanors?
Could Nixon have rectifyied himself by wearing make up?
Who do you percieve to be the winner?
On the discussion tab--please share your reactions to this experience.
Conclusion
Televised debates play a critical role in the American political process to select a president. There are several ways that televised debates have improved the process, making it truely a nation of the people, by the people, and for the people. Each number has a question at the end. Please discuss on the discussion tab.It is essential to consider all perspectives before exercising the most precious of rights--the right to vote in an American presidential election. Each candidate has a lot to offer to this country, so we must be respectful and cautious. We must now look to the future of televised debates for the good of America...for the good of the world.
Additional Resources
Museum of Broadcasting
Presidential Debates
Impacts of Debates
Sources from the 2007 AP Language and Composition Synthesis Essay